The following is a letter to the editor that was sent to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

DAVE KERWIN/Mattawan

Michigan families are going to suffer as pro-business bill passes the lame duck session of the Michigan legislature. The proponents admitted they knew this was their best chance to push this legislation through since this congress is a lame duck session and the Republican majority will change in January.

It has nothing to do with being concerned about workers' rights and everything to do with eliminating workers' negotiating strength. It will be a take-it-or-leave-it negotiation for teachers, construction workers and any other workers who once enjoyed the fruits of their labor.

So when you can't find any good workers you can thank the Republicans in the Michigan legislature. This is all about another concession to big business under the guise of creating more jobs. Only problem is that those jobs won't pay anything close to a middle-class wage. The skilled labor force Michigan always enjoyed will move to other states where the legislatures still considers a strong middle class necessary. Michigan will become Indiana. Congratulations.